Discalimer I don’t own Harry Potter. Nellie, Izzie and Lucas are mine though.

Authors Note Hey, I kept my promise. It’s up quite quickly. I was going to put it up on Sunday, but I got addicted to Bleach again, I started playing it on the Wii and I just had to read it again. Monday it was my moms birthday. I haven’t wrote the next chapter so it may take a few weeks or so. I’m hoping not though. Though, I do need to find my plans (3rd draft) because I may have lost them.

This stage of Nellie’s life is so much fun. For me anyway. Not for Nellie.

Thanks for all being tremendous readers. I still have a few reviews left but they will all be answered tomorrow as I’m logging off to go to bed after this.

Comments and Opinions welcome.

Amazing Chapter Image by musicbox!@TDA

“Can we just forget the subject of Sirius ever came up? I like you and I don’t want to ruin it with something I’ve said.” - Lucas Miles

Chapter Nineteen Punches, Kicks, Dates And Me

I had thought about the situation all night. I had come up with a plan, not a very good one but a plan never less. I would go out with Lucas because he’s nice and I don’t want to hurt him, but afterwards I would break up with him. Not straight after wards but you get my drift. I wasn’t ready for a relationship nor did I think it was right that I was only going out with Lucas because I knew it would annoy Sirius.

So that was the plan.

I was sitting next to Izzie at breakfast.

“So, Nellie.” She said, “Looking forward to your date?” She asked, the sarcasm evident in her voice.

I glared, “Izzie.”

Izzie shrugged, “What? It was just an innocent question. That’s all.”

“The questions you ask are never innocent.” I replied, before taking a bite of my toast.

Izzie glared at me before muttering something I couldn’t quite catch under her breath. We sat in silence for a few moments before Izzie broke it, “Look who’s arrived.”

I looked to what she was staring at and then I saw it. Sirius and Sarah, hand in hand. I felt unsettling feeling in my stomach that made me want to be sick. Then, the determination that I had to break up with Lucas started to waver into nothing. The anger bubbled to the surface again and I wanted nothing more but to get them back; again. I looked at Sarah and I got the urge to punch that lovely oval sized head of hers. She smiled at me before looking at Sirius, whom was avoiding looking at me. Hmmm, Azkaban can’t be that bad can it…? Nah. It’s got to be terrible there, I mean think of all the nasty people that reside there! Plus, Sarah isn’t worth it, though she would probably argue that she is.

Eugh.

I suppose I’ve learn nothing but Sirius Black; this is war. A war that I am determined to win.

“Lovely couple aren’t they?” I heard someone whisper next to me. “They look so good together.”

No they don’t. They aren’t lovely!

Eugh.

Stupid pair of flip flops.

“Come on.” Izzie said, “We’ve got to go Hogsmeade. I want to get some socks before you have to go and meet Lucas. Hmmm.” She pondered her thoughts for a moment, “Maybe I should get a quill too…I need a few more quills…I wonder if they’ve got that one back in stock…they didn’t have it before did they?” Izzie was rambling. Izzie rambles when she’s either wanting me to talk to her or she’s hiding something so she’ll just talk about the most pointless things ever. There are other reasons why she rambles but those are the main two. “I want some sweets as well. I fancy a whole lot of sugar at the moment…I don’t know why.” I shot her raised eyebrows. “Don’t do that. It’s quite creepy you know? You sort of look surprised but like a masked murderer too. It’ll give me nightmares. Thank you very much Nellie.”

“No problem.” I replied, “It’s my pleasure.” I raised my eyebrows again, “Oh. Sirius has annoyed me, so I’ve decided to forget about him and not break up with Lucas after the first date.” I might as well chuck it into the conversation somewhere.

Izzie shook her head, “Okay Nellie. Whatever you want. Be a silly cheese. Hmmm… Now I want some cheese.”

“Izzie you’re acting odd.”

“Perhaps I got up out of my bed the wrong way.”

“You get out your bed the same side everyday. It’s one of your things.” I laughed, “Plus, how many ways are there to get out of bed? Roll, climb, slide…and of course, a handstand…but those must be quite hard when you’ve only been awake for thirty seconds or so.” I sighed, “Handstands are hard anyway…”

“Yeah. Okay. So I got out the same side I do everyday. Maybe that’s the problem.” Izzie looked away from me.

I frowned, “What you mean? Just shake it all up. Get out the opposite side!” I switched sides. I was walking on her left but now I was at the right.

“No, that’s just it I can’t. Nellie, please move to the left again, it’s weird with you walking on my right.” I did as she asked, “ See? You’d know it would knock me off course for the whole day. It would make me skittish. I wouldn’t be able to relax or focus. I’m so set in my ways. I mean you walking on an opposite side made me feel a little light headed. ”

“What’s the problem in that? So you like security. So you like the routine. So what?”

“I don’t know.”

“Izzie, it’s who you are. I mean, we mesh well together. I occasionally send us to space but you’re always our gravity that brings us back to Earth.”

“I guess…” Izzie smiled at me.

“What brought this on anyway my chum bucket?” I asked.

“Don’t know.” Izzie looked away, I stared at her for a few moments. “Okay. I don’t know it’s just lately I feel boring.”

“Your routines are your quirks. Your quirks make you interesting. You could never be boring. Silly Billy.”

One O’clock came too early for my liking. Izzie managed to pick up several quills and a few pairs of socks. I had also picked up some cool looking unicorn ones. I felt that I had only spent five minutes with her when in fact we had been here for quite a while.

“You going to be alright?” I asked, as we stood outside The Three Broomsticks, waiting for Lucas.

“Nellie. I’ll be fine. I’ll just go find a Marauder or something…I didn’t snap at them that much last night. Honestly so if they are in a bad mood with me…I’ll just kick them in the shins until they get over it while calling them a bunch of woman…or something along those lines.” Izzie shrugged.

“Nice plan.” I commented.

“I know.” Izzie grinned, “I thought of it all by myself. Right Nellie. I’m going. Bye.” She gave me one last glance before walking off. I waved good bye in slow motion because it looks cooler and makes everything seem more dramatic. Izzie didn’t even turn back; that girl knows how to make everything dramatic.

I just chucked on a dress and stuck a clip in my hair, Izzie had made it flat again. When I got dressed I was still convinced of the plan…until things changed. “Thanks,” I smiled. “You look nice too.”

“Thanks. Lets walk.” He linked arms with me as we went for a walk. I suppose it burns off breakfast. “What you been buying?”

“Just socks.” I responded, “I got some really nice ones with unicorns on. Izzie got some cool ones with books on them and she got another pair with cleaning supplies on them, they’re really groovy.” Now I was rambling.

Lucas laughed, “You’re funny Nellie? You know that?”

“Well, I try to be modest so I don’t broadcast it.” I joked grinning. “Your day been good so far?”

“It’s gotten even better now that I’ve met you.” Lucas smiled. What a sweetie! “I swear time seemed to last for ages! Don’t you think that?”

“Uhm.” I fumbled with my words before lying, “Yeah. Took ages.”

“Who you spent today with then?” Lucas asked.

“Just Izzie.”

“Oh.” Lucas nodded, “Nobody else?”

“Nope.” I shrugged. “Why the interest?”

“If you want to get anywhere with someone, you’ve always got to know their friends.” Lucas replied.

“Oh. You want to get somewhere with me?” I said, rather too timidly for my liking.

“Of course.” Lucas laughed, “Why would I ask you out otherwise? I mean…I was going to at the party. Until Sirius cut in…and ruined everything.” Lucas scowled for a single second, before flashing me a large smile.

“Uh, yeah. Sorry about that. He’s just awfully protective of me.” I tried shrugging it off. Talking about Sirius was uncomfortable grounds.

“Since he tried murdering you?” Lucas raised his eyebrow.

I shot him a confused look, “Huh?”

“Ages ago. You ended up in the hospital wing? Something about an argument with Snape. Something along the lines of that anyway.”

I frowned, “It was an accident. How’d you know about that anyway? Lola?”

Lola better not know! She’ll just tell everyone. Nobody knows what truly happened. Just Marauders, Izzie, Lily, Snape and me obviously. I wasn’t comfortable with him knowing this information. Lucas didn’t spark something inside of me that made me instantly trust him, not like Sirius.

“I saw the Marauders carrying you to the hospital wing.” Lucas looked at me for a moment, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anybody. I mean can’t tarnish their reputation can we?”

“No. We can’t.” I said firmly. “Plus. It’s all water under the mountain now.”

“Don’t you mean bridge?”

“I never get these sayings.”

“Oh.” Lucas smiled. “Can we just forget the subject of Sirius ever came up? I like you and I don’t want to ruin it with something I’ve said.”

I grinned, “It’s all water under the bridge.”

“It’s a nice day for January isn’t it?” Lucas asked.

“It’s lovely.” I responded.

Then, in the horizon I recognized two perfect shapes. One belonging to Sarah and the other Sirius and slowly Lucas arm unwrapped itself from my arm and his fingers clasped mine. I gave him a smile.

Just seeing them sparked something negative inside. I hated the fact that a girl who was so heavily involved with my past was hanging around of what could have been my future. I hated the fact that they were together. The hope of being happy somehow drained with every moment I saw them together. That’s the amazing effect they had on me.

Sirius walked past with Sarah, she threw me a glance but to Sirius…It was like I didn’t exist. I felt defeated. I felt that Sarah had won the battle that I never even had a chance of winning. She was a winner, I was a loser. That’s just how our situation worked out to be. It was how we were.

“Come on.” I said, “I fancy a drink. My throat feels dry. Want to go back to The Three Broomsticks for a lovely Butterbeer?”

“Sure.”

I found us a table while Lucas went to get us a drink. Hmm. I think my first date has been successful. Yeah, sure, I dated Regulus but we never went on dates. Not real dates. You can’t count meeting up in secret a date. You call it a mission. A date is this or at least I think it was. I’m not that experienced with this dating lark, I’ll have to ask Izzie what counts as a date. Just spending time with a person in a romantic way or this?

“Here you go.” Lucas placed the Butterbeers on the table.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“So.” I said, “Would you rather be a fish or insect?” This game was excellent at getting to know people better.

Lucas gave me a strange look, “Um. Depends. Fish I think, because them I could actually go to the bottom of the sea. I’ve always wondered why lies in the seabed. I mean the sea gets so deep. I just love things like that. Things that aren’t explored because Muggles would get crushed…or something. It’s fascinating.”

Okay, so the boy wants to know what’s at the bottom of the sea. I think I know! Sand! Maybe a few shells. Okay even a crab dancing at the bottom with a lady crab. I've always wanted to dance with a crab, I think it would be fun.

“You?”

“I rather be an insect. Far less dangerous. Fish have to avoid sharks. Insects have to avoid birds. I’d rather be kidnapped and be fed to a bunch of baby worms who can’t get their own food without mummy’s help than a shark, who is probably just being greedy. Though I feel for them, I really do. I mean when we step into the sea, it’s their home, so it’s like we’re invading their home and they protect it, just like we would…but still they are quite harsh, I mean chomping on us…then again, those sharks just give every shark a bad name.” Izzie rolls her eyes whenever I tell her about my shark theory but Lucas actually looked interested.

“You’ve thought about this haven’t you?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?”

“You can tell.”

I grinned, “I have far too many thoughts. Sometimes it’s hard to extinguish the relevant and most of the time, none of them are relevant to the topic or even life.”

“I can tell.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Lucas nodded, “But I think it’s a good thing you know.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because it’s interesting.”

I grinned, “Your turn to ask a question.”

“Hmmm.” He pondered for a moment, “Colour?”

“I love all colours. They are amazing. Each one has something to offer but I think I love grey a tiny bit more, because it reminds me not to see everything in black and white. It’s the middle of everything.” I responded.

Plus, it’s Sirius eye colour.

Though, I liked grey before I got to see the colour of his eyes up close.

“You?”

“I quite like the colour red. A violent angry red is always best. I don’t know why, it’s just it speaks so much volume.”

I nodded. I always thought he was more of a blue person myself.

It carried on like this, each taking turns to ask each other questions. Still though, as I began to unravel the person that was Lucas Miles, the awkwardness that Lucas chose to ignore or simply didn’t realize was there, didn’t fade. I found that his favourite animal was giraffe, he didn’t eat food that were green, he had one sister and he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. With all this information I had absorbed, I still felt I knew absolutely nothing about him.

“Come Nell,” I remember when Sirius called me that. I cringed inwardly. “Let’s go back.” I hope Lucas never refers to me like that again. To him, I would always be Nellie. “It’s getting late.”

“Okay.” We headed back to the castle.

“Do you want me to walk you to your common room or…?” Lucas asked when we got back.

“Nah, it’s fine.” I smiled, before kissing him on the cheek.

I didn’t let him reply as I walked off towards the common room. For some reason, some part of me just wanted to get away. It was the sane part probably.

I walked into the common room. It was quite packed. I scanned the room; no Izzie. I sighed, I wanted to tell her about my date.

“So Nellie.” Sirius asked, he was confidently leaning against the sofa with ease. “Had a nice date?” Sirius asked and I glared. The other Marauders and Lily gave a little wave.

“Yes.“ I smirked, “Of course I did. Why wouldn‘t I?” I asked, “You?”

“Perfect…just like Sarah. Thanks.”

“Lovely. You suit each other.” I replied, stepping closer to Sirius.

“As you do with Lucas.” Sirius said stepping closer to me until we were next to each other, glaring, him looking down at me because he’s taller. He has such pretty eyes…and perfect cheekbones. I swear he must pluck those eyebrows! I noticed that we had started to attract attention, because it was drama involving a Marauder or them as a whole were gossip gold. Everybody had stopped what they were doing and were staring but I didn’t care. I thought they were rather sad really, I mean, we were only glaring at each other for the moment.

“…Hmm, Remus…Peter…Lily… I like cake do you like cake?” James blurted out to break the tension.

“Yeah…James…cakes good.” Remus replied, shaking his head with amusement.

“What the hell is your leg made out of? Stone?” I hissed, also hopping around, my toes felt broken.

“No Nellie. It’s called muscle.” Sirius snapped back.

“Well, I’ve got these things called toes and I think you’ve broken them!” I complained, “I’m never going to walk properly again. From this moment I’ll walk funny and people will call me Nellie Numpty or something.”

“Eugh. Don’t start. I’m in pain too you know.” Sirius complained.

I could hear Lily gigged, I shot her a look and she just shrugged. “It’s funny.”

“No it isn’t.” Sirius and I both objected at the same time. We turned to each other and glared.

“Stop copying what I’m saying Sirius!”

“I began the sentence first!” He objected.

“Did not!”

“Did too.”

“Did not.”

“Did too.”

“You know.” James said, both me and Sirius stopped arguing for a moment as we looked at him. “I’ve never seen them argue like this before. They should do this more often.”

“We should charge money.” Peter joked .

Lily laughed. “We’d make loads. I mean I‘d pay to see this again. Everybody else in the room probably would too.”

“Did not!” I began the argument up again.

“Did too!”

“Did not!”

“Did not!”

“Did too!” I let out a small gasp, I had fallen for Sirius’s trick.

“You fell for it Nellie. You were the one copying me. You said so yourself.”

“You tricked me.”

“Oh well.” Sirius shrugged.

“You’re so annoying you one legged chicken!”

Sirius laughed, “What you got against one legged chickens? Huh?”

“Stop trying to make my insults make sense!” I fumed, “You…”

“What am I Nellie?” Sirius grinned, infuriating me even more.

“…dog!” I finally came out with.

I would have gone for rat but I don’t think it suits him that well.

Sirius, Remus, Peter and James all stood there laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, I glanced at Lily, who shrugged.

“I have no idea Nellie.”

I resisted the urge to kick them all, my toes wouldn’t appreciate it one little bit.

“Why am I dog Nellie?” Sirius asked, after he stopped laughing.

“Because I’m not a fan of dogs , because I’m allergic and at the moment I’m not a fan of you.” I snapped.

I gasped, “No I’m not!” I had a bad incident with a poodle when I was little. It bit me on my ankles and didn’t stop chasing me for two hours. I ended up getting a rash and I couldn’t stop sneezing. “How dare you call me a poodle! They’re evil.”

“You’d be a good evil person. Nobody would think about you."

“Are you asking for another kick?” I threatened.

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Well no? Are you hearing things again? Because that’s one of the first signs of madness! Oh I forgot you’re insane!”

“You’re insane too Sirius!” I yelled, “You know what? Have this back.” I slipped Sirius bracelet off my hand and placed it in his lovely soft palm. Sirius looked at me. That bracelet meant so much to me, it was like a piece of Sirius with me wherever I went. It was all about the things that we would understand and nobody else would. Something that represented everything we were and that‘s why I had to give it back, because at the moment, I wanted nothing to remind me of the state my friendship with Sirius was in. It was just too painful, “Take it. Give it to Sarah.” I spat her name. It was poison. She was poison.

“No-” Sirius cut himself off, he put the bracelet back in my palm, “It’s yours Nellie. I don’t want it.”

“Neither do I at the moment.” I dropped it on the floor and walked towards the dormitories. I looked behind me, Sirius bended down, picked up the bracelet before storming off out of the Common Room. I sighed before heading to bed.

I couldn’t be bothered with anything at the moment, including being awake. Too bad my mind had different ideas and didn’t let me sleep a wink. The argument burning itself into my memory. The memory I knew so well now, the memory that I knew the haunting melody to it perfectly. The memory that made me ache, the memory that made me want to cry. Every happy memory of Sirius wanted to make me cry because it was a constant reminder of what we used to have.

The next morning, mine and Sirius argument was the talk of the whole school. It was quite depressing really. I had people coming up to me asking me about my relationship with Sirius. Girls told me I was lucky, a cow, a bitch amongst others. Izzie had taken refuge to the library to escape the attention, I chose not to follow her, as people were asking me questions not her; yet anyway. I had been reading in the dorms to escape all the madness but I was growing bored.

Okay, scratch that. I was bored.

Izzie had enough time to herself now. I’m going to go and find her.

I stepped out of the portrait hole to find Sarah leaning against the wall next to it. She looked rather…angry.

“O’Neill.” She said, “Come with me. I’ve been waiting for you for most of the day.”

“Why should I go with you?” I asked, “You don’t like me. It would be stupid. My mom taught me to not go off with people I don‘t trust.”

“Fine. I’ll say what I have to say here O’Neill.” She hissed, “You keep away from Sirius, he’s mine okay? I spent ages trying to get him and I’m not having you ruin anything for me. I don’t know how you gained power over the Marauders but if you use it any way to result in something negative happening to me, you will regret it.” She threatened and I was pretty sure it wasn't an empty threat. This girl meant business.

I shrugged. “I don’t have power over the Marauders. We’re friends and we have this thing called respect or something. Why the hell would I want to ruin Sirius chances with a dung beetle. I wouldn’t” I argued.

“I know, I know. You’re in denial.” I was not! “But It’s over O’Neill. I have him. He stepped up his standards again, stopping hanging around with you, a freak. He’s mine. Okay?”

“He’s not a possession, he’s a person.”

“Don’t push me.” She warned, “All I’ve had today is people telling me about the argument you had with Sirius. What they think about it. Most people think you’re a stupid, deluded freak. Though that doesn’t explain the bracelet…you can’t have him. He hates you okay?”

“No he doesn’t.” I replied. Sirius couldn't hate me. No he didn't, but what if he did? What if that argument last night was one step too far? He did care for me once, feelings like that can't turn into hate that easily. I mean, yes, I'm mad at him at the moment, hurt a little too but if he needed my help, I would come running. I couldn't just shut off my feelings like that. I couldn't change them over one silly argument.

“Yes, poodle, he hates you. Told me himself." I felt crushed, the walls around me seemed to be coming closer and I felt a little dizzy. Sarah didn't notice she had already hurt me enough because she carried on. "He doesn’t even know why he’s friends with you, because Nellie, you’re nothing. You’re not worth any of their time. Not even pretty…you’re hair is a mess, you eat far too much.” Sarah hissed, every word was slowly carving itself in my brain, “I hate you O’Neill and because of that, I wouldn’t think twice about destroying you. Okay? Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal.” I said quietly.

Once again, she was the winner. I don’t know why I gave in so easily, I just did. I suppose I knew that deep down, maybe she was telling the truth. Maybe deep down, I knew I could never win against her…or could I?

“So if I see you around Sirius, talking to him or even being near him…I will start a war. See you around, poodle.” She laughed, before walking off.

I stood there for a few moments, a rage bubbling inside of me, something I could never truly show because I wouldn’t allow it. Something that I never dared to show because I was too afraid and I knew I would regret it but now?

Guess what Sarah?

The poodle bites.

Now I have to figure out a plan to get her back.

Hmmm.

“Nellie!” Lily said happily, “You’ve come out of the dorm! Sirius asked me to come and get you.”

“Well.” Lily said firmly, “I’ll start a war if you don’t come.” Lily looked at me all intimidating and I gave in.

“Fine I’ll come.” I sighed. “Now I see the reason Sirius sent you and not the others.”

Lily grinned.

I was taken to the outside of a classroom that Sirius was obviously in. Lily stopped outside the door. “You’re not coming in?”

“Well no.” She said, “Though if you have an argument like earlier, call me and I’ll be glad to watch.” She grinned before walking off.

I looked at the door and I felt a little scared.

What would Sirius want to talk to me about?

“Nellie.” I heard Sirius voice from inside the room. “You can come in you know. Stop staring at the door.”

I sighed, before walking in and there he was, he looked a little un kept. His hair was messy and he looked like he hadn’t had much sleep from the look of the rings under his eyes. This was the most beautiful I had ever seen him. I took a moment to just look at him. He must have noticed I was staring because he gave me a funny look. “Erm. Actually.” I said, trying to salvage the situation. “I wasn’t staring at the door. I was practising my line dancing.”

Sirius shook his head, “I’m sure Nellie. I’m sure.”

“So.” I shuffled my feet a little. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

Sirius sighed, “Too much.”

“Sarah loves you know. At least I think she does. She doesn’t want to lose you…I know that much.”

Sirius face crumpled up in confusion, “What are you talking about Nellie? I don’t get you.”

“I don’t get me half the time too.” I sighed, “I had…” My words drifted off. I couldn’t tell him, I knew there was a chance that he’d break up with her and I know she would blame me. Though, guilt surged through me, by not telling him, he was still going to be with her and she didn’t deserve him. Though, nobody in school really did, maybe Izzie or Lily, but their affections were already taken. I didn't deserve him either. He was precious jewel and I was a dirty pebble. Jewels and pebbles never matched. Though, I knew she wouldn’t give him up without a fight. She had made that perfectly clear. Though, I was determined to get her back, I refused to involve and use Sirius. I didn’t want Sarah bringing him down when it was my battle. That’s why I wasn’t even going to tell Izzie. I wondered why I had the respect not to use Sirius for my own revenge but I didn’t have the same respect for Lucas; my boyfriend.

“Nellie you had what?” Sirius sighed, “An stomach ache? A realization that you’re psychic? What did you have?”

“…a little run in with her.” I shrugged it off, trying not to make it seem like the run in wasn’t a big deal. Even though it was; to me anyway. What she said hurt, Sarah had this thing where she always manages to get to me. Somehow, a stranger knows what buttons to press that will upset me.

“Nellie what happened?” Sirius asked, I said nothing, “You can tell me you know.” He encouraged gently.

My eyes scanned the room, before finally settling onto the floor. “It’s just…I don’t know anymore Sirius.” Sirius stepped closer and tipped up my chin so I could see him.

“I don’t like this at all.” Sirius looked at me, “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Well, to be honest…” I began but I never got any further because someone interrupted me.

“I’d quite like it if you stepped away from my girlfriend, Black.” Lucas spat, his voice full of malice. He stood there, he could have been a poster boy for aggression or annoyance. He played the role like perfection. Sirius glared at Lucas, his body tensed but he made no attempt to get away from me. “You’re far too close for my liking.”

Somehow, I knew there was going to be trouble, because I could see that the blood between these two was bad. Something had gone on. Something had made them hate each other. Something I had the feeling that I was going to be hearing about very soon.

Something quickly took me out of my thoughts and that was Sirius's fist colliding with Lucas’s face.

Uh oh.

…To Be Continued

Next time on The World, Biscuits And Sirius Black According To Nellie O’Neill.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing Nellie?” Sirius yelled at me.

“Uh. Walking? What do you think I’m doing?” I rolled my eyes as I quickened up my pace. Sirius matched it. I walked a little faster. Sirius matched that again.